Report: Indonesia earthquake death toll close to 400

The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck the Indonesian island of Lombok is climbing, and could reach 400, according to an independent Indonesian news service.

Indonesian K-9 dog police officers search for victims at a collapsed house in Tanjung, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, on Wednesday. Photo by Adi Weda/EPA-EFE

Detik.com reported Thursday the magnitude-6.9 quake that occurred Sunday has resulted in the deaths of 281 people, and 1,033 injured, citing government sources in West Nusa Tenggara, a province of Indonesia.

Estimates of the death toll is wide ranging. Indonesia’s National Agency for Disaster Management, or BNPB, has stated the official count is 131 deaths, far below the reported estimate.

As the region recovers from the devastating quake, the number of casualties could continue to rise. A road near Mount Rinjani, an active volcano, has been badly damaged.

RELATED Indonesia promises to ban trade in dog, cat meat
Rinjani was evacuated immediately following another quake on July 29.

Damage to the island’s infrastructure has been extensive.

South Korean news agency Yonhap reported 42,239 buildings had either collapsed or been badly damaged, and 156,000 people are without shelter.

RELATED China imposes retaliatory tariffs on $16B worth of U.S. goods
The earthquake comes at a time when Indonesia is preparing to host the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang.

Muhammad Zainul Majdi, the governor of West Nusa Tenggara province, said there was a critical need for medical staff, food and medicine, according to Ireland’s RTE.

“We have limited human resources. Some paramedics have to be at the shelters, some need to be mobile,” Majdi said.